"Briggs, Patricia - Sianim 2 - Steal the Dragon.text" - читать интересную книгу автора (Briggs Patricia)

Laeth bowed his head in acknowledgment of the compliment of her trust. They
ate without speaking for a time, the silence comfortable between two old friends.

"When you talked to Ren, did he say what he was going to do about the tattoo?"
Rialla touched her cheek lightly.

Laeth nodded and finished swallowing before saying, "He has a magician who


can disguise your scar and replace the old tattoo with an illusion. Ren wants the
tattoo to be the same as it was originally, in case someone recognizes you. Couldn't
it be used to trace your previous owner?"

She shook her head. "I've been gone for seven years; after five, a slave doesn't
need to be returned to the original owner. Though I understand that it's considered
proper to do so anyway. As long as Lord Karsten doesn't make a habit of inviting
slave trainers to his birthday parties, I won't have to worry."

"No," he answered, relaxing, "a nobleman would no more invite a slave trainer to
a formal occasion than he would invite a swineherd."

"So I thought," agreed Rialla.

"Ren also wanted me to tell you that if something happens, he'll get you out of
Darran by fair means or foul; so you don't have to worry about getting stuck as a
slave," added Laeth.

Rialla shot him a nasty grin. "After all these years of training in Sianim, I don't
think that I'll have to worry much about someone keeping me as a slave." Saying it
made her feel as if it were true, and some of her tension loosened.

Laeth returned her smile with one as wicked, as he posed the favorite question of
one of the combat instructors, "How many ways are there to kill a person with a
knife?"

"It doesn't matter, it only takes one to do the job," returned Rialla.

They finished their sandwiches in mutual good humor and left just as a new wave
of mercenaries pushed through the door. Laeth stopped her just outside with a hand
on her shoulder.

"I've got some things that I have to get taken care of before we go. Ren told you
that we leave in five days?"

She nodded.

"I'll see to the supplies for the trip, if you can make sure the horses are ready."

"I'll find a couple," answered Rialla. "I'd better find a dancing costume or two as
well."